Do Not Be Fooled By These Common Myths About Eczema

Eczema is a medical condition that affects the skin making it red and itchy. Here is a list of the most common myths associated with this disorder.

There are a growing number of children today that are being diagnosed with eczema, which is a chronic medical condition. This disorder is a result of the inflammation of the skin and is mainly characterized by dry, red, and itchy skin. Eczema is most common in children and can appear anywhere on the body. Most of the children who develop eczema tend to outgrow it before they reach adulthood. If you suffer from eczema, you are at a greater risk of developing allergic disorders like hay fever and asthma.

There are several types of eczema such as contact dermatitis and neurodermatitis, however, atopic dermatitis is the most common one. Some of the signs and symptoms of eczema include red to brownish skin patches, itching, raw and sensitive skin, as well as thickened and scaly skin. The symptoms of this disorder varies greatly from one person to another. The exact cause of eczema is not yet known, however, it tends to run in families and has several risk factors associated with it. These factors are stress, viruses and bacteria, allergens like dust and pollen, and tobacco smoke.

Your doctor does not need any tests to diagnose eczema, he or she will make a diagnosis just by reviewing the medical history and examining your skin. Even if additional tests are conducted, it is only to rule out other disorders of the skin or to pinpoint the medical conditions that generally accompany eczema. You may have to try several treatment methods to find the ideal one because eczema can be quite persistent. Some of the typical drugs used in the treatment of eczema include corticosteroid creams, calcineurin inhibitors, anti-itch drugs, and antibiotics. In some cases, light therapy and wet dressings are also used to treat your eczema. It is vital that you recognize the signs of eczema early, so that you can begin your treatment as soon as possible.

More than 30 million in people in the United States suffer from eczema, making it one of the most common skin disorders. As it most often affects children before the age of 5 years, it can cause several problems for them including difficulty sleeping. Even though it is a common disorder, there are numerous myths about it prevalent even today. This results in people giving you conflicting advice about what helps and what doesn’t. Read on to separate the facts from the most common myths associated with eczema.

Eczema is an allergic reaction

It is true that eczema is usually associated with allergies. However, this does not mean that these allergies cause your eczema. Margaret Cox of the National Eczema Society says, “Eczema is not an allergic reaction, though flare-ups can be triggered by things like dust mites, perfumed soaps, and pollen. Skin affected by eczema tends to be dry and produces less fat and oils than normal skin. This makes its protective barrier less effective, allowing bacteria, allergens, and irritants to pass through the skin more easily, making it red and inflamed. That’s why the products to treat eczema rehydrate and lock moisture into the skin, while keeping the barrier more intact, so fewer irritants and allergens can invade”. Therefore, do not eliminate foods and drinks from your child’s diet before consulting your doctor.

Eczema can aggravate if you give daily baths to the child

The severity of eczema is not dependent on how often you bathe your child in any way. It is alright to give a daily bath to your kid as long as you keep it simple and make use of special eczema balms that are available in the medical stores. A spokesperson from British Skin Foundation, Bevis Man, says, “Heat can often trigger flare-ups, so use warmer, rather than hot, water. Avoid bubble baths and soaps that can strip the skin’s natural oils – use a soap substitute”.

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